Howard-Jay County IN Archives Biographies.....Haynes, Elwood 1857 -
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Author: Jackson Morrow (circa 1909)
THE ELWOOD HAYNES AUTO COMPANY.
The record of a life well spent, of triumphs over obstacles, of perseverance
under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of
honor and distinction in the industrial world, when imprinted on the pages of a
history, present to the youth of the rising generation an example worthy of
emulation and may also be studied with profit by those of more mature years
whose achievements have not kept pace with their expectations. Such a life is
that of the inventor, manufacturer and representative citizen, whose
achievements and success in the line of invention and manufacture we shall
herewith endeavor to present, for our subject is the executive head and manager
of the largest manufacturing concern in Kokomo.
Elwood Haynes is a native of Indiana, born in Portland, Jay county, in the
year, 1857. His father, Hon. Jacob M. Haynes, of that city, long one of the able
lawyers and distinguished jurists of the state, was a prominent figure in the
public life of Jay county, and at the time of his death, at the advanced age of
eighty years, while still on the bench, is said to have been the oldest judge in
active service in this country. Elwood Haynes was reared in the county of his
birth and at quite an early age became an active participant in civic affairs.
In 1886 he turned his attention to the natural gas industry and the same year
organized the Portland Gas & Oil Company, which under his direction developed
the Jay county field and supplied the city with an abundance of this ideal fuel.
Later he was made superintendent of the Chicago natural gas lines and after
holding the position until 1890, came to Howard county to engage in the business
upon his own responsibility in this part of the state. It was while thus engaged
that Mr. Haynes began studying the question of locomotion by other than horse
power, a matter to which he had previously devoted considerable attention, and
which, from his investigations, he felt sure was feasible and could be made
practicable. In due time he reduced his ideas to facts and a series of
experiments, but the most difficult problem which confronted him, was the matter
of motive power for his car, a problem, which for considerable time, appeared
impossible of solution. He first considered steam and electricity, but after
careful investigation abandoned both and began experimenting with gasoline.
During the time in which he carried on his investigations and experiments, Mr.
Haynes kept his work from the eyes of the prying world and it was not until the
end of his second year that he succeeded in solving the problem of motive power,
and fixing upon definite plans for the further development of the car which
within a comparatively brief period was destined to revolutionize hitherto
existing means of locomotion, and in time come into general use. He was enabled
to conduct his experimental work under more favorable circumstances after he
removed in 1892 from Greentown to Kokomo, and in the fall of that year purchased
an engine and making patterns after plans, developed in the meantime, addressed
himself to to [sic] the task of constructing a car, which he had every reason to
believe would meet his expectations, and mark the beginning of an era in
mechanical invention. It would be interesting to note in detail the various
stages in the evolution of the automobile and the many difficulties,,
embarrassments and discouragements under which the inventor labored ere his
ideas became facts, but to do this would far transcend the limits accorded to a
sketch of the character of this review. Suffice it to say, however, that he
continued his experiments and labors with renewed vigor and zeal, making changes
when and where necessary, testing new theories, adopting new and improved
appliances, proving by practical experience the value of everything which a
strong mind and fertile imagination could suggest, until finally on July 4th, of
the year 1894, the first automobile to be operated by gasoline was completed and
ready for the trial by which its success and utility were to be demonstrated,
and published to the world. Up to that time the work was carried on privately,
but no sooner was it known that a test would be made than a large number of
people assembled to witness the new and novel spectacle of a vehicle moving
along the highway with no motive power in view. After several satisfactory
trials within the enclosure of the shop the machine was taken to more favorable
ground about four miles from the city where everything being in readiness, the
first public test was made, the car on its initial trial running about one and a
half miles with two persons beside the proprietor aboard. Turning the car about
it glided with ease over the entire distance to the city, thus demonstrating to
the satisfaction of inventor and spectators the success of the experiment and
solving a problem that had long engaged the attention of the mechanical and
industrial world. The engine which supplied the motive power was a small affair
of about two hundred and forty pounds in weight, and at its best the car's speed
did not much exceed seven or eight miles an hour. Subsequently it was replaced
by a larger and more powerful engine, which, with the improvement of the wheels
by pneumatic tires, an average speed of twelve miles per hour was obtained, the
car on one occasion making a record of five miles in twenty-six minutes, and
during the summer and fall of the year in which the trial was made running in
the aggregate something over one thousand miles. The auto which is still in good
running order is an object of interest to every visitor to Mr. Hayne's
establishment and being the first machine of the kind in the world to prove the
efficacy of gasoline as a motive power, it was accorded the place of honor at
the New York exhibit of automobiles and in due time it will be placed in the
Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C, along with other great products of
American genius where it is destined to immortalize the inventor and place his
name among the really great benefactors of the race. The success attending the
first experiments with the auto car encouraged Mr. Haynes to engage in the
manufacture of the machines under more favorable circumstances and upon a
greatly enlarged scale. Accordingly in 1895 he entered into partnership with Mr.
Apperson, of Kokomo, and in the latter part of that year the firm began to make
what is known as the double cylinder or double opposed engine, which was greatly
superior to all other types and with which the autos made at their factory could
successfully compete with those from any other establishment in the land. In the
Chicago Times-Herald contest of 1895 for the best automobile the Haynes machine
was duly entered and notwithstanding the brief period of preparation it was
awarded the first prize of one hundred and fifty dollars over five competitors,
three from Germany and two from the United States. To this victory was largely
due the reputation of the Haynes double engine among the manufacturers of
automobiles, and it soon came into general use, its superiority to all others
being universally conceded.
The Haynes-Apperson Company turned out five cars during the first year their
factory was in operation, three of which were taken to the Ohio State Fair in
1896, where the proprietors received three hundred and fifty dollars for the
exhibit. In 1897 the Haynes-Apperson Auto Company was organized with greatly
enlarged facilities, the firm thus constituted lasting until the fall of 1901,
when Mr. Apperson withdrew and Mr. Haynes became proprietor, under whose
management the enterprise has since been known as the Haynes Auto Company. By
the second year the output of the factory had increased to fifty-five machines,
which was more than doubled the year following, during which one hundred and ten
were made and sold, this number being insufficient to meet the steadily growing
demand from many parts of the country. To supply this demand the establishment
was enlarged from time to time, new and improved implements and appliances being
adopted with a corresponding increase in the working force, quite a number of
mechanics being employed, all selected with special reference to their
efficiency and skill. Two hundred autos were turned out the fourth year and from
which time, until 1907, the annual output averaged two hundred and fifty, but in
the latter year the number was increased to three hundred and fifty, which
represents the present capacity of the factory.
As indicated by the above figures the steady growth of the automobile
industry made imperative a corresponding increase in the capacity and
manufacturing facilities of the establishment. Accordingly additional
improvements have been made from year to year in the way of buildings and
equipment, the plant at this time, (1908) consisting of three large and well
constructed buildings, each forty by two hundred and seventy-five feet in size,
and two stories high, besides a number of additional structures devoted to
various uses, the floor space of the main structure being in excess of eighty
thousand square feet. The number of men employed by the company will average
between four hundred and five hundred per year, the force consisting of
experienced and thoroughly capable mechanics,, selected with reference to their
specific lines of work, also many skilled artisans for the departments in which
a high order of technical training is required. The sum of two hundred thousand
dollars presents the annual payroll of the establishment, and a conservative
estimate places the capital invested at three hundred thousand dollars,
practically all the stock being held by residents of Indiana, the bulk by
citizens of Kokomo and Portland, Indiana. In 1908 a great improvement was made
in the engine, its superiority being such as to create a widespread demand, to
supply which taxes the plant to its utmost capacity. Indeed for some time past
it has been impossible to keep pace with the growing demand for the Haynes car
and already the propriety of an additional enlargement of the plant is being
seriously considered, the increase of the business rendering imperative such
improvement in the near future.
Mr. Haynes does not make racing cars, nevertheless he has won honors and
prizes in not a few important contests with the ordinary auto, and that, too, in
competition with the leading racers throughout the country, all of light weight,
but equipped with large and powerful engines. A reference to the subjoined list
of contests in which a series of prizes were won and a record second to that of
no other automobile in the world established will afford the reader some idea of
the speed, durability and high standing of the Haynes machine, which is not only
the oldest, but conceded in every important particular to be one of the best
today on the market.
The company of which he is the head is now entering upon the fourteenth year
in the manufacture of automodiles, and as already indicated is the oldest
establishment of the kind on the American continent. These fourteen years have
been spent not alone in perfecting the mechanical details of the product, but in
diligent and costly search for materials best adapted to each and every point.
In the construction of the cars material that has proven satisfactory,
regardless of the cost, is used. Finding it impossible in some instances to
secure steels of suitable quality in the open market, the company has been
obliged to have some of its steel made after a special formula, devised by Mr.
Haynes, who is an expert metallurgist, having devoted much time to experiment in
this particular branch of laboratory work.
As indicated in a preceding paragraph, the plant is equipped with special
machinery of the most up-to-date patterns, selected and designed to give the
most minute accuracy of mechanical detail, while in the construction of the car
every effort has been made to combine sturdy endurance with pleasing lines and
serviceable luxury in their appointments. Several styles of cars are
manufactured, one of the most popular and now in almost general use being the
runabout, which has extensive sale and which is continually growing in favor.
The other models have also gained wide repute throughout the country, their
increasing popularity being attested by a demand which the company at this
juncture finds it impossible to satisfy. The company has branch houses in New
York City, Chicago, Buffalo, and other points, where the machines are handled by
capable and far-sighted business men who have built up an extensive patronage,
which, like the demands on the home plant, is steadily growing in magnitude and
importance.
As may readily be inferred from the foregoing brief account of one of
Kokomo's most important and far-reaching industries, Mr. Haynes is a man of
ability and good judgment, whose mechanical skill has won him world-wide
recognition, and whose enterprising spirit few difficulties can discourage. A
man of acton, [sic] he is rarely mistaken in his judgment of men and things, and
readily foresees future possibilities relating to his business interests and
determines with a high degree of accuracy their probable bearing. In all
transactions he has ever manifested scrupulous integrity and gentlemanly
demeanor, and by reason of large success, honorable reputation, unblemished
character and just and liberal life, he has nobly earned the esteem in which he
is held. While giving personal attention to his large and growing business
enterprise, he discharges the duties of citizenship as becomes a broad-minded
American of today, and is also interested in all that is calculated to benefit
his community and promote the welfare of his fellow men.
EVENTS WON BY HAYNES CARS.
1895—First prize, one hundred and fifty dollars for balanced motor,
awarded by Chicago Times-Herald. Speed record, Louisville, Kentucky.
1897—Speed record, Charles River Track, Boston, Massachusetts.
1899—First one thousand mile run in America. This was accomplished by the
Phaeton, which ran from Kokomo to New York City.
1901—Kokomo to New York in seventy-three hours.
First prize, blue ribbon certificate. Long Island endurance run: one
hundred miles during heavy rainstorm without a single stop.
First prize in the New York-Rochester endurance contest.
First prize certificate in the New York-Rochester endurance contest.
First prize, silver cup, five-mile speed contest. Fort Erie
track, Buffalo, New York.
First prize, silver cup, ten-mile speed contest, Pointe Grosse track,
Detroit, Michigan.
Gold medal award, Pan-American Exposition.
1902—Blue ribbon or highest award at the Long Island non-stop contest.
Blue ribbon or highest award at the Decoration Day run.
First-class certificate in New York-Boston-New York reliability
contest—-standard model.
First-class certificate in New York-Boston-New York reliability
contest—surrey model.
1903—First-class certificate in New York-Pittsburg run—touring car.
First-class certificate in New York-Pittsburg run—runabout.
1904—First-class certificate in New York-St. Louis run.
Grand prize, World's Fair, St. Louis.
1905—Qualified in the Vanderbilt cup race with stock car.
1906—Qualified in the Vanderbilt cup race with stock car.
In the final race, held third place on the American team.
1907—Silver cup. Automobile Dealers' Association of Southern California.
Five mile race for complete touring cars.
New York Motor Club. New York-Albany endurance contest, two hundred
miles through mud and rain. Silver cup for mechanical excellence
and finishing first in its class.
Perfect score in four days, sealed bonnet contest. Automobile Club of
America, six hundred miles with all working parts under seal—finished
without a single adjustment.
Perfect score in Chicago Motor Club sealed bonnet contest— one hundred
and seventy-six miles with all workingparts under seal.
Perfect score in Chicago Motor Club sealed bonnet contest— one hundred
and seventy-six miles with all workingparts under seal.
Perfect score in Chicago Motor Club sealed bonnet contest— one hundred
and seventy-six miles with all working parts under seal.
Perfect score in run from Los Angeles to Lakeside—most strenuous contest
over mountainous roads.
Perfect score in the Glidden tour. The most difficult touring contest
held in America.
Made fastest time of any car in its class, irrespective of price, in
the Algonquin hill climb, Chicago automobile contest.
Perfect score in New Jersey Automobile Motor Club's twenty-four-hour
endurance contest.
The only perfect score in the Chicago motor score in the Chicago Motor
Club's six hundred-mile reliability contest.
1908—Two perfect scores in the Glidden tour of 1908; only two cars entered.
Additional Comments:
From:
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
(circa 1909)
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